Wednesday, May 10, 2000 -- Pittsburgh, PA
2000 ACA Summer Criterium Series
Story by Joe Papp with photos by Matt Walker (Pittsburgh Cycling Club)
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Results]
[Pic Set 1]
For more information on cycling in Southwest PA, check with the Allegheny Cycling Association.
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Acciavatti had intended to catch the main bunch with less than a lap to go, before making one of his patented, Jesper Skibby-like attacks in the final kilometer. As it was, by lapping the field with more than 1km to go, Acciavatti gave Friedman the time he needed to organize his teammates John Gamble and Mark Nicoll into an effective leadout train. While Acciavatti struggled to coordinate with his other teammate, Lief Hands, Nicoll and Gamble delivered their man to victory.
For Friedman, who leaves for Europe with the US National Team later
this month, tonight's victory validated the intense preparation he has
undergone since returning from Cuba's Tour of Havana. Having
dispatched riders on two continents, Friedman now turns his attention
to the world's best riders in Europe. For Acciavatti, the small
tactical error that cost him the win was inconsequential-he has bigger
fish to fry at this weekend's NCCA Collegiate Nationals in Athens,
Ohio.
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With the race halfway over, the breakaways began to battle each other for Most Aggressive Rider points, awarded to the first rider across the line each lap. Though the lead changed hands constantly, in the end Friedman walked away with the prize.
In the B (3-4) race, 14 year-old Ryan Mele (Volpatti's) won the
field sprint ahead of a resurgent Fred Baladassare (Team
Freddie Fu) and Bill Powers (East Suburban Sports
Medicine). For the second time in as many weeks, the race stayed
together for all 30 laps, with riders never able to gain more than a
few seconds on the field. Even two prime sprints could not split the
group, though Josh Shaffer (AHRR) did his best to excite the
crowd by launching several classy attacks. Mele was surprised at
having won the sprint, since he "felt terrible" during the two prime
sprints he contested, neither of which he came close to winning. For
such a young rider, he shows a tenacious spirit far beyond his
years. Remember, you heard about him here first!
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With another week of racing at the Pseudodrome completed, the riders are beginning to find their legs. In the A's, a running duel between the PCC and WVU looks set to continue indefinitely, though Team Schwinn may steal an event when the big guns aren't looking. The B race is anyone's to win, though Mele may soon face competition if C rider Charlie Chulack upgrades. If not, expect to see Mele win again and Chulack continue his reign of terror in the C's.